Will function as per their previous timing instead of 9 am to 5 pm; demand further reduction in LBT -- from 2 per cent to just 1 per cent -- as well as export duty on fuel
The following news is bound to bring respite to motorists from Navi Mumbai. The petrol pump owners recently ended the strike they had called to protest against the unequal implementation of the Local Body Tax (LBT) in the region. During their protest, the owners kept the pumps open only between 9 am and 5 pm and this had inconvenienced a large number of many motorists.
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The protesters had claimed that differences in LBT levied on the petrol pumps falling under the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NNMC) and those under the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) was resulting in fuel price rising by Rs 4 in Navi Mumbai. Owners said the motorists preferred filling fuel in Kharghar due the difference, thus forcing them to incur heavy losses.
Days after the petrol pump owners went on strike, the NMMC reduced the LBT from 3.5 per cent to 2 per cent. However, the owners now want it reduced to just one per cent. They are also demanding a reduction in export duty on fuel.
Ajit Kandpile, a petrol pump owner from Vashi, said, “Although the LBT on fuel is at 2 per cent, we still believe that consumers are paying more than they should and hence we want the tax to be lowered to just 1 per cent. Also, duty on export should be reduced as it will help stabilise fuel prices in the areas that fall under NMMC’s jurisdiction.” u00a0